The Lottery Questions on Human Nature

The Lottery

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson employs a tone that transitions from serene to horrific, illustrating the story's shocking conclusion. Initially, the narrative's calm and idyllic setting misleads...

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The Lottery

In "The Lottery," the law of probability suspended is the likelihood of a 1940s American town maintaining a tradition of human sacrifice for a good crop yield, a practice more expected in ancient or...

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The Lottery

In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," key characteristics of human nature and values include conformity, tradition, and the capacity for violence. The story reveals how people can blindly follow...

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The Lottery

Jackson's choice of common people over sophisticated characters in "The Lottery" underscores the story's theme that ordinary individuals can perpetrate horrific acts. This choice makes the shocking...

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The Lottery

The story of the lottery is told from a third person point of view, and we never have any idea what the narrator thinks about it. However, we can guess that he feels some kind of respect for his...

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The Lottery

Jackson avoids explicitly describing the villagers' horrific ritual to surprise and shock readers, highlighting how seemingly decent people can commit inhumane acts. This approach engages readers...

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